Help us plan our trip! Zion NP

2gypsies wrote:
I guess I don't understand getting a 'base camp' and traveling two hours to see something else and then two hours back again.

I'd recommend moving to different areas. Then you can explore all day without having to drive an additional two hours back to the campsite.

I'd heed this advice. Kid's hate having to "commute" three or four hours every day.

In Zion, I'd recommend Watchman CG in the park. Not FHU, but they do have electric for your A/C and a dump station (that's why put holding tanks in our RV's :) ). Watchman CG is one of the best NPS CG's for kids, as it's right on the Virgin "River" (actually more of a stream in the summer) with big cottonwoods for shade. Kids go down to the stream, use rocks to dam and build little ponds, and stay cool in the heat. Best hike in the park on the hottest day would be up Zion Narrows. It can be 20 degrees cooler in the canyon than at Springdale. Take wading shoes, as you'll be walking up the river. For other hikes, plan to take the east side hikes in the morning and west side hikes in the afternoon as the canyon walls will give you shade.

The nice thing about Bryce is it is higher in elevation and quite a bit cooler. One can also make judicious use of the shuttle to drop into the canyon at one trailhead and emerge from another. Since most of the trails are on the east side of the plateau, they are in shade later in the afternoon and evening.

While Capitol Reef has lots of interesting trails, with your kids I'd suggest spending that time at Moab instead. I think the hikes in Arches NP are just so kid friendly. They spend their time looking for the next arch. At Devils Garden, take the trail all the way out to Double O arch and return via the primitive loop. Lots of easy scrambling up and down the red rocks. Plenty of shorter hikes, too, like those around Windows Section. If you have time, get a reservation to the guided hike into Fiery Furnace. Of course lots of people hike out to Delicate Arch for sunset, so you won't be alone, but it is spectacular. Bring some headlamps for the return hike.

Outside of Arches NP, another hike for a very hot day is up Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge. This is a narrow canyon that is in shade for much of the day, so it's cooler. Plus there's a little stream for wading in places (watch for poison ivy). Take a day and head up to Island in the Sky at Canyonlands NP. Some shorter hikes here like Aztec Butte, Mesa Arch, and Grandview Point. IMHO, I prefer the views from Island in the Sky to those at the Grand Canyon. Not quite as deep of canyon, but the immensity is startling. Of course rafting the Colorado River is a good way to cool off on a hot day. Moab is one of our favorite destinations and we usually spend three to four weeks there a year (of course it's just over three hours from our house, so our data is a little skewed!).

I think someone with kids could spend several days at both Zion and Moab hiking, etc. At Bryce, one can get the experience in one full day of hiking.